Hey everyone! Welcome back to my blog! How are you all doing during this crazy nation-wide heatwave we’ve been having? If you love the hot weather like I do, these last few days have been nothing short of a glorious little treat. If not, well… I hope you have been able to stay hidden away indoors in the safety of your AC, because this weather is no joke! As I’m sure you’re aware, temperatures all over the nation reached record highs this week, with numbers well into the triple digits in the south. We don’t often see temps in the hundreds here in WI, however, yesterday was a real scorcher with a heat index of near 100 degrees. It’s the kind of weather where even if you have a fancy bazillion dollar Dyson hair thinga-ma-bobber, it’s to no avail. With the kind of moisture content that’s in the air right now, I can blow dry and flat iron my hair until my heart’s content, just to have it frizz right back up and start taking hostages as soon as I step outside again. Some days it’s simply not worth the wrestling match, and the only compromise is a pony tail. So be it! Pony tails are quick and easy.

The good news is that if the weather forecast is accurate, after today we’ll be seeing a break in the heat for a while which will be nice for those who can’t escape it any other way. I personally can’t get enough of these temps, but I realize not everyone shares that opinion for one reason or another… I guess the bottom line is, no matter what it’s doing outside it’s always perfect stitching weather somewhere – whether inside or out. Whatever works! With another weekend upon us I plan to do a whole lot of just that in the next 48 hours, including working on my Twilight Stars blocks so I can stay ahead of the game! Speaking of Twilight Stars, how are you keeping up? Those of you quilting along with me should have twelve completed blocks at this point, with two more coming to you… right now! This week our “chosen ones” are block numbers two and nine.

If you’re new to the Twilight Stars Quilt-Along and are wondering where to find the patterns for these blocks, they can be found in my book Triangle Gatherings, which is required to participate in the QAL (along with a few other items that can be purchased on our website by clicking HERE). A blog post I did explaining the full details on Twilight Stars can be found by clicking HERE. The full list of details and required supplies can be found at the Twilight Stars Info Page by hitting the button below!

One thing that I love about this QAL is the infinite number of possibilities there are as far as fabric choices and color combinations go. This could be the perfect quilt for that special stash you’ve been hoarding away for just the “right” project, or it could also put a huge dent in your scrap pile. Either way you’re going to be a half-square triangle master by the time you’re done – that’s for sure!!! For my own blocks I’m using my Rustic Gatherings fabric line combined with Jackie MacDonald’s Halloween-themed collection, Spellbound. Both lines feature color palettes including rusty oranges and rich blacks, along with some nice grey selections from Rustic that go together like they were made for it.

Whichever way you decide to go I know your quilt will turn out wonderfully! That being said, I hope you’ve been remembering to post photos of your progress for a chance to win one of Heidi’s famous prizes! All you have to do is post a photo of your completed blocks each week before the release of the next batch, including the required book Triangle Gatherings and Primitive Gatherings Triangle Paper in the picture. Please also include the hashtag #TwilightStarsQAL in your post! Heidi will choose a weekly random winner until the end of the QAL. I announce the winner each week during my LIVE show every Thursday, so make sure you post before then! Congratulations to this week’s lucky winner, D’Aon Lucas!

For those of you not participating in the QAL don’t worry, you too can be a lucky prize winner! As always, we love getting comments here on the blog as well as on our Facebook pages, and my YouTube channel STITCH with Lisa Bongean! Don’t be shy, let me know what’s on your mind! I love to hear about what you’re working on and what you’d like to see more of here at PG. Let me know!! Special thanks goes out to this week’s comment prize winners Harriet M. and John D. for their comments last week! Congratulations (remember, I do not post last names or email addresses for your privacy, so if you think you’re one of the lucky winners this week please be sure to check your email. You can also contact Heidi at heidin@primitivegatherings.us if you have not already received a prize confirmation letter from her.)!

I hope you all have a great weekend and manage to stay out of trouble. I’ll do my best but no promises! Aside from stitching I’m sure I’ll be doing something fun out and about, but I’m just not sure what yet. I’m thinking about checking out the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) AirVenture events that are going on in our area right now which include daily air shows, aerobatics, and pyrotechnics. It’s super cool stuff that’s worth seeing if you can. There’s also feature films being offered at a fly-in theater, forums, workshops, and demonstrations going on. It’s a really neat event that I look forward to every year so I hope I can find the time to get over there. Whatever you decide to do with your weekend, have fun and enjoy it! I will see you all next week. Until then, take care! ~Lisa